7.62x39 vs. .223

[chrisb]

I'm wondering what the difference is between the two rounds, assuming all things are fairly equal (barrel length, etc.), when it comes to down range performance and effective range for hunting, particularly coyotes. I'm that knowledgeable when it comes to ballistics but i know many of you are. Anyone out there able to help? Even better have any of you hunted with the 7.62x39mm round before and what were your thoughts/results/impressions of it's feasibility as a hunting round of 4 legged game?

[Gutpile]

7.62X39 is pretty dismal at any kind of range. 3"high at 100 yards and your 15" low at 300 with 123grns bullets.  It'd certainly do in a yote but wouldn't be one of my choices just because that bullet is going to start to drop off pretty fast. With a .22 centerfire like a .223 you can hold dead on to 250 ish spine at 300 but still on the dog, with a 22-250 or 220 swift you can stretch that to 350 or so. Anyways it'll kill a yote but it's not what I would call a hunting round.

7.62X39
http://www.shootingtimes.com/ballistics/762_39mm_russian.html

.223
http://www.gunsandammomag.com/cs/Satellite/IMO_GA/Chart_C/AMMUNITION+BALLISTICS+FOR+.223+Remington

[Wenatcheejay]

7.62x39/.223

If that is what you got, or what you want to use, head shots. (imho)

P.S. .223 is a no-go for Washington on big game. .243 or larger.

[Gutpile]

7.62x39/.223

If that is what you got, or what you want to use, head shots. (imho)

P.S. .223 is a no-go for Washington on big game. .243 or larger.

Thought he was talking coyotes.

particularly coyotes

[FALFire]

If you are using it in an AR15 and you handload 110 - 125 grain 308 bullets, you would be amazed how accurate the caliber can be. If you are using it in an AK style your accuarcy will likely be dismal to say the least. AK's have a .311 bore but the better .308 bullets will work very well, so what you end up with is basically a 30-30 semi-auto. Should work good out to 200 yards in other words.

[BigGoonTuna]

lemme guess...looking into a CZ 527 carbine?

i have heard that the 7.62x39 is more or less a ballistic equivalent of the .30-30...of course, the thuddy is shooting heavier bullets, which would make it a bit more desirable.  however i think the 7.62x39 would be more than adequate for westside deer hunting, and would smoke any coyote in range(around 100 yards).

if it was coyotes only, i'd probably go with the .223.  flatter shooting, ammo is around the same price range, but much more loadings available.

[Bigbuckhunter_1996]

.223 remington     http://www.hornady.com/store/223-Rem-40-gr-V-MAX/


7.62x39mm          http://www.hornady.com/store/7.62X39-123-gr-V-MAX/




the 7.62x39mm drops off pretty quick but the .223 keeps a flatter tracjectory out to those longer ranges for coyotes

[Bofire]

 :)Don't have anything to do with all those ballistic numbers. Ameerican coyotes aint gonna hold still fer any metric furrin catridges, now when they hear a 223 go off they stand up proud like and look for the parade, yep
Carl

[carpsniperg2]

If you are using it in an AR15 and you handload 110 - 125 grain 308 bullets, you would be amazed how accurate the caliber can be. If you are using it in an AK style your accuarcy will likely be dismal to say the least. AK's have a .311 bore but the better .308 bullets will work very well, so what you end up with is basically a 30-30 semi-auto. Should work good out to 200 yards in other words.

well said

[FALFire]

Hey Carl, I think maybe yer neckbrace is just a little too tight there big guy

[Bigbuckhunter_1996]

well said but those coyotes stand up for the .243 not the .223 haha 

[demontang]

Lol well they do flips for the 338win but back to the question, Ive shot a few yotes with the 7.62 and wouldnt suggest it over the 223 for yotes it might to better with handloads but Ive never do any for it. Ive knocked a few yotes down over 300yds with my 223 and the longest  (luck I think) was 502yds

[chrisb]

I've got a .308 and a .30-06 too that i could take and even an AR (although its set up for CQB mostly) but i've got an AK that i was thinking of "sporterizing" and using for yotes. This has all been pretty good info so far though guys. keep it coming!